Starter for internal-combustion engines



Oct. 27, 1953 L. H. CRIPPEN 2,656,8

STARTER FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTIQN ENGINES Filed Aug, 2, 1950 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Oct. 27, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STARTER FOR INT ERNAL-COMBUSTION cmcs 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a starting device and more particularly to a starter for an internal combustion engine of the type employed for supplying power to miniature aircraft, boats and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to effect initial rotation to movable parts such as the crank shaft of an engine, a propeller shaft, and the like.

Another object is to facilitate the winding of a starting cord and avoid the rotating of the crank or propeller shaft during such winding.

A further object is to assure the automatic engagement of the drive pulley about which the starting cord is wound with the shaft or the like to be rotated upon the pull of the cord.

The above and other objects may be attained by employing this invention which embodies among its features a rotor mounted on a shaft to rotate with the shaft about the axis thereof, a grooved pulley mounted for rotation about the axis of the shaft and movement longitudinally thereof, means carried by the pulley for engaging the rotor and causing the latter to rotate with the pulley, means carried by the pulley for anchoring one end of a. starter cord wound in the groove of said pulley, and means for advancing the pulley toward the rotor to cause engagement of the rotor engaging means with the rotor so that when pull is exerted on the cord, the rotor will be rotated with the pulley.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a starting device embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the device illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is an end view of the grooved pulley.

Referring to the drawings in detail, an engine shaft or the like has secured thereto, as by set screws l2, a rotor 14 carrying at one end an axial extension l6. Formed in the end of the rotor facing the axial extension l8 are spaced recesses [8 for the reception of the drive pins of the pulley to be more fully hereinafter described.

Mounted for rotation on the axial extension I8 is a grooved pulley 20 having formed therein radial recesses 22 which open into the groove thereof for the reception of one end of an elongated cord 24 which is wound in the groove of the pulley as will be readily understood upon reference to Figure 2. Carried by the pulley on the face thereof adjacent the rotor ll are outwardly projecting pins 26 which are adapted to enter the recesses l8 as shown in Figure 2. It will thus be seen that when the pulley 20 is advanced longitudinally on the axial extension it toward the rotor l4 and pull is exerted on the cord 24, the pulley will cause the rotor M to rotate and drive the shaft l0.

Formed on the end of the extension 18 remote from the rotor M are external screw threads 28 on which is threaded a nut 30 forming an abutment for one end of a compression coil spring 32, the opposite end of which bears against the pulley 20 yieldingly to urge it longitudinally on the axial extension IE toward the rotor I4.

In the preferred form of the invention, the rotor I4 is provided with a knurled periphery and the periphery of the pulley 20 is milled as at 34 so that the rotor may be held stationary while the pulley 20 is moved against the effort of the coil spring 32 for disengaging the pins 26 from the recesses 13 and allowing the rotation of the pulley independently of the rotor. By thus disengaging the pins 26 from the recess 18, and anchoring one end of the cord 24 in a recess 22, the cord may be wound in the groove of the pulley 20 without rotating the rotor M or the crank shaft l0. After having wound the cord to the desired extent, it is obvious that upon release of the pulley 20 it will move under the influence of the spring 32 toward the rotor 14 and when the pins 26 register with the recesses 18, driving engagement between the pulley 20 and the rotor l4 will be established so that upon pulling the cord 24, the rotor will be driven in unison with the pulley.

The rotor l4 may serve as a fly wheel for the shaft H! or may be the hub for a propeller assembly. It is therefore believed apparent that the device as herein comprised is particularly desirable for use in connection with miniature or model planes.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred form of this invention, it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

In a starter for internal combustion engines, including the crank shaft of the engine, a rotor having an axial bore to receive said shaft and a second bore extending diametrically through the same and communicating the axial bore, a set screw threaded inwardly of the opposite ends of said second bore to secure the rotor on said shaft, a tubular axial extension integral with said rotor 3 and having its free end threaded, a grooved pulley mounted for free rotation on said extension, clutch pins carried by said pulley, the opposed side of said rotor having apertures to receive said pins, a coil spring on said extension acting to urge the pulley toward said rotor to force the clutch pins into engagement with said apertures, means on the periphery of said pulley for the at chmen i an d 01 a D111 9 d, thereto, "and-a'nut on the threaded end of saidextension for adjusting the tension of said spring. LEE H. CRIPPEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent j,

Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS H Number Name Date 1,434,309 Nelson Oot. 31, 1922 Name bate Nelson Mar. 29, 1927 Stickel Nov. 13, 1934 Beard Oct. 2, 1945 Sager Feb. 12, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Fran Ada -P1- Jan. 1 9 5 switz rlanda Mar. 81 1942 

